Barack Obama discusses his book, “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.” Obama shares his family’s background and its influence in his life. He tells of his mother’s emphasis of instilling a strong African and African American...

Jared Diamond discusses his book, "The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal." The book encompasses the history of evolution from the Neanderthals, "tree of human life," and "last first contact." He writes that humans are...

Johnnie Cochran discusses his book, “A Lawyer’s Life,” coauthored with David Fisher. Martinson begins by sharing that she first met Cochran through the Coro Foundation. She goes on to say that Cochran worked in the district attorney’s office for...

Mat Johnson discusses his novel, “Hunting in Harlem.” He begins by explaining that his book is a story about the recreation of Harlem and bringing in a new community. He introduces his 3 main characters who are released from prison and enlisted...

Lisa See discusses her novel, “Dragon Bones.” She begins by explaining that it is the third book in a series that follows the same characters. She talks about her decision to place the story in China near the Three Gorges and the San Xia Dam. ...

Clive Barker discusses his novel, “Imajica.” He begins by explaining the plot of the book and how a jealous husband hires a hit man to kill his philandering wife. Barker talks about how good fantasy books bring familiar elements into the story...

Icy Smith discusses her book, “The Lonely Queue.” She begins the interview by talking about her immigration from Hong Kong to Los Angeles and her background growing up in poverty and moving to America for an education. She goes into the history...

Europe - Emigration and immigration - Social aspects; United States - Emigration and immigration - Social aspects; Europe - Population - Forecasting; United States - Population - Forecasting; Europe - Social conditions - Forecasting; United States...

Pat Buchanan discusses his book, “The Death of the West." Buchanan explains that the book is an examination of the increasing decline in Western culture and power. He argues that the West is dying. He points to declining birthrates in the United...

Leonard Goldenson discusses his book, “Beating the Odds.” He begins by explaining that the book is about the behind the scenes story of the rise of the ABC network. He discusses his role as the founder of ABC and what led him to foresee a market...

Dan Barden discusses his novel, “John Wayne.” He begins by explaining that his father was a contractor who was hired to renovate John Wayne’s home, and the two men became drinking buddies. He says that he decided to write this novel because he...

Blythe Holbrooke discusses her book, “Gossip” which she describes as informal communication. Blythe states that people gossip, but do not truly understand the politics of talk. Ultimately, bad rumors can destroy lives. The book describes how to...

Rahna R. Rizzuto discusses her novel, “Why She Left Us.” She begins by explaining that her book is about a family living in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II. She talks about how she is a fourth generation immigrant, and...

Ralph M. Kovel and Terry H. Kovel discuss their book, “Kovel’s Know Your Collectibles.” They begin by explaining that antique collectors should collect out of passion, not for money. They talk about their other book about putting a monetary value...

Harold J. Leavitt discusses his book, “Top Down.” He begins by explaining that he is a professor at the Stanford Business School. He says that this book was written for a middle manager who leads other people but who still answers to a higher...

Dorothy Leeds discusses her book, “The 7 Powers of Questions.” She begins by breaking her book down into 3 parts: the psychology of how to phrase questions, the psychology of how people answer questions, and how questions can bring a family closer...

Terrill Lankford discusses his novel, “Earthquake Weather.” He begins by talking about the 1994 earthquake that hit Los Angeles and how disaster can bring people together. He discusses the film industry in Hollywood and how many people just want...